The Charlotte Fire Department's first priority is to save lives. If firefighters know someone is inside a burning building, our first actions will be to get that person out as quickly and safely as we can.

Our second priority is to save property.

Charlotte's firefighters are trained to do the least amount of damage possible while fighting a fire. When we break windows or cut holes in the roof, we are trying to remove smoke so we can get inside and put out the fire as quickly as possible.

State law places any building on fire under the direct control of the Fire Department until the fire official in charge releases the property back to the owner or responsible party. North Carolina law also requires the Charlotte Fire Department to determine the cause and origin of every fire that occurs.